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Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani will debut as the pitcher and leader of the American League in the 2021 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night.
Ohtani was the only player selected to hit and pitch in an All-Star game as he leads the league with 33 homers and is 4-1 with a 3.49 ERA in 13 starts on the mound.
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Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash, who will be in charge of the American League team, told reporters on Monday he had “urged” MLB to change a rule that would allow Ohtani to be a pitcher and designated hitter for the game and would allow him to insert a new DH when Ohtani comes out of play.
“This is what the fans want to see,” Cash said via ESPN. “This is personally what I want to see.”
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Ohtani is unlikely to pitch more than one inning for the Mid-Summer Classic, as he throws and hits and competes in the MLB Home Run Derby on Monday night.
The 27-year-old Japanese has become one of the best stars in baseball since the start of the 2021 season.
Not only does he lead the MLB in homeruns, he’s also atop hitting percentage (.698) and total goals (210). He leads the American League in treble with four. He pitched 67 innings and has a 3.49 ERA with 87 strikeouts.
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“[NL manager Dave Roberts] and I both have a responsibility to protect not only our players, but all players. And I think it made more sense in being willing to do something he’s already done, rather than asking him to punch and get into the game later. [to pitch]”added Cash.
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